Police have nabbed a gang of women pickpockets at Ganesh Puja Maidan on Sunday. They were targeting women devotees who were enjoying the mela.
The incident came to the fore when around two devotees complained of missing cash and mobiles from their hand bags. During investigation it was found that a gang of thieves, mostly girls, had cut the hand bags with blades and decamped with valuables. The devotees also handed over two thieves to local thieves.
"Some thieves from West Bengal visit Jamshedpur to target devotees at Kadma Ganesh Puja maidan. This year too the thieves are active. We have increased vigil at the premises," said an official.
As the news spread, a police team nabbed three more girls involved in the crime. During the initial investigation, the accused said that there were more persons present at the puja venue involved in the pickpocket, but they had fled the spot as soon as they were nabbed.
A police officer confirmed that three thieves, mostly young girls, were arrested from the venue. He said that the administration had made elaborate arrangements to ensure a peaceful puja, but despite deployment of adequate numbers of police personnel, the pickpocket had sneaked into the venue.
The police officer said that they would interrogate the criminals who are now in the lock-up and would try to know exactly how many of the devotees fell victim to pickpocketing.
Police also caution people against putting mobile phones or other valuables at the venue. Thieves become adept at grabbing them as they walk by, and then running off.
The incidents of pickpocket and chain-snatching do take place whenever there is a religious congregation in the city.
The Ganesh puja of Kadma is one of the oldest and most revered pujas in the State. Every year large numbers of devotees visit the place and seek blessings from lord Ganesha. Priests from Andhra Pradesh would perform the religious ceremonies.